Dispensing apparatus for granular material



Nov. 27, 1956 P. o PINNEY DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR GRANULAR MATERIAL Filed July 12, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 27, 1956- Filed July 12, 1954 P. O. PINNEY DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR GRANULAR MATERIAL 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Anew/a1.

United States Patent DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR GRANULAR MATERIAL Paul 0. Pinney, Long Beach, Calif., assignor to J.-H. Keeney & Co'., Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application July 12, 1954, Serial No. 442,739

12 Claims. (Cl. 141-822) This invention relates to a dispensing apparatus for granular or powdered material, and particularly for drinks, the main ingredients of which are in powdered or granular form and which are mixed with water.

An object of my invention is to provide a novel dispensing apparatus of the character stated, in which the powdered or granular portion of the drink and the hot water are primarily mixed in the cup in which the drink is dispensed.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel means of dispensing the granular or powdered material from a container, this material dropping directly into a cup which has been previously deposited below the container.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a novel means of controlling the rotation of the operating motors by means of power driven' cams, thus determining the time during which a motor will rotate.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a novel means of raising and lowering a single motor into and out of engagement with one previously positioned dispensing tank in which the granular or powdered material is placed, this tank having been manually positioned under the motor by the operator of the machine.-

Other objects, advantages and features of invention may appear from the accompanying drawings, the subjoined detailed description and the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Figure -1 is a perspective view of the exterior of my machine.

Figure 2 is -a front elevation of the same with parts broken away to show interior construction.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the cans containing the material and the motor actuator therefor. V 1

Figure -4 is af bottom plan view 'of one of the cans or containers.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view ofjthe l'ower part-of one of the cans=or=containers Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of "the cans or containers with parts broken away "to show interior con- 'struction.

Figure 7 is a side view showing the arrangement of the sugar andcream containers on the-door "of the dispensing machine.

Figure 8 is a 'wiring diagramof my apparatus.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary perspective view "of the lower mounting jtalble upon which the cans 'o'r co'nt'a'iners are placed.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the numeral 7 1 indicates ahousing and 2 the f'ront door thereof, which may be opened'to obtain access to the apparatusniounted within the box or "housing 1. Thejdoor 2 also includes a front opening and platform 3 upon which the eu'p 4 rests and where thiscup is filled with the selected material, as will he subsequentlydescribed. A 'cup dispenser-5 is mounted within the housing 1 and this cup dispenser is usual and well known in the art, 'and the de't'ails of this particular dispenser form no "part-of this-invention. A

chute 6 below the cup step dispenser 5 directs the dropped cup to the platform 3 as the first step in obtaining a hot drink from the disepnser. A hot water tank 7 is mounted in the lower part of the housing 1, and a cold water intake pipe 8 enables the tank to be filled with water as necessary by opening the valve 9 in this pipe. The water in the tank 7 is heated electrically by the coil 10. An outlet pipe 11 extends from the top of the water tank 7 and thence to a position above the platform 3, where water can be poured into the cup 4 when a cup is positioned on this platform. The flow of water in the pipe 11 is cont-rolled by the electrically operated valve 12, and the method of actuating this valve will be subsequently described. The valve 12 is of the usual and well known type, which will be held in an open position as long as it is electrically energized, but will automatically close when the electrical current thereto is broken.

A vertical shaft 13 is journaled within the housing 1 on a frame 14. A pair of vertically spaced discs 15 and 16 are fixedly mounted on the shaft 13. A plurality of cans or containers 17 are positioned between the discs 15 and 16 and these containers contain the powdered or granular substance which is to be dispensed into the positioning the various cans in this position will be subsequently described. The shaft 18 projects above the upper surface of the can 17 and a transverse pin 19 extends through the shaft. This pin is engaged for the purpose of driving or rotating the shaft 18 by a single motor, which will be subsequently described. A dasher 20 is provided on the shaft 18 so that the contents of the can 17 may be agitated. An opening 21 is provided in the bottom of the can 17 and this opening is provided with an upwardly stuck lip or projection 22. A transverse bar 23 is provided on the shaft 18 at the bottom thereof and this bar sweeps over the hole '21 for the purpose of keeping the hole clean and also in urging the material through this hole. A shutter 24 may be provided on the bottom of the can 17 so that the hole 21 may be partially closed to thus control the flow of material from the can.

The cans 17 are each mounted between the discs 15 and 16 by means of the shaft 18 which fits into bayonet slots 2526 respectively. It is thus possible to easily insert a can 17 between the discs as may be required.

A baffle 27 on the disc 16 is positioned imediately adjacent the hole 21 so that the granular material will be directed into the cup-4. A horizontal shaft 28 is journaled on the top of the frame 14 and protrudes through the 33 which engages the pin 19 ofthe can 17 which is positioned immediately below the motor. normally raised so that the cans 17 can be freely rotated by the operator of the machine. Once the required can 1! ha been brought to the forward or dispensing pcsitionby the"operator,'the motor 32 is then lowered electrically to engage the'pin 19 andithus rotate the dasher 20 as well as The motor 32 is the rod 23, thus dispensing material through the hole 21 which then drops into the cup 4. The verticalmovement of the motor 32 is accomplished as follows: The motor is mounted on a link 34 which is journaled on the pin 35 and suspended from the bottom of the frame 14. A solenoid 36 is mounted on the frame 14 and the armature 37 thereof is pivotally secured. to the'outerend of thelink 34. When the solenoid 36 is actuated the armature 37 will be moved upwardly, thus swinging the motor 32 downwardly to engage the fork 33 with the pin- 19 and thus enabling the shaft 18 to be rotated.

A coin drop 38 enables a coin to be deposited in a coin contactor 39 and as long as the coin is in the contactor 39 the electrical circuit, to be subsequently described, is closed. The coin contactor 39 is essentially a coin actuated switch which is usual and well known in the art. Also when the coin is in the contactor 39 the solenoid 36 will be actuated and will thus function to swing the motor 32 downwardly into operating position, as previously described.

In order that cream and sugar may alsobe dispensed as desired, I provide two containers 40-41, which are preferably mounted on the inside of the door 2. The reason for this positioning is to arrange both of these containers immediately above the platform 3 so that cream and sugar will drop directly into the cup 4. A motor 42 is mounted above the container 40 and a similar motor 43 is mounted above the container 41. The motors 42 or 43 are manually actuated, as will be subsequently described, and these motors rotate shafts 44-.45 in the cans 4041, respectively, thus agitating thecream or the sugar and dispensing these materials from the bottom of the containers in the same manner as previously described from the cans 17. It is understood that the cream is in granular or powdered form and not liquid. I

The wiring arrangement and the cam controls for the various motors are as follows: When the coin is deposited in the coin changer 39 it closes a contact so that the incoming A. C. current 46 may flow through the circuit The A. C. current 46 is the same as the A. C. current from which the leads 52 and 54 extend, as subsequently described. The cam motor switch 47 is closed so that current can flow to the driving motor 48 and cause the shaft 49 thereof to rotate. A cam 50 on the shaft 49 engages a precision switch 51 (commonly called micro switch). Another lead 52 of the A. C. supply extends to one side of the switch 51 and thence to the commodity motor 32. Another lead 54 of the A. C. supply extends directly to the commodity motor 32. Thus when a coin is deposited in the coin changer 39 the motor 48 will rotate and the cam 50 will close the switch 51, thus energizing the commodity motor 32. A second cam 55 is mounted on the shaft 49 and this cam engages a precision switch 56, one side of which is connected to the lead 52. A second lead 57 extends from the other side of the switch 56 and thence to the electrically actuated valve 12 so that hot water may flow through the pipe 11 and thence ino the cup 4. A third cam 58 is mounted on the shaft 49 and this cam engages a precision switch 59. One side of the switch 57 is connected to the lead 52. The other side of the switch 59 has a lead 60 extending therefrom which extends to and operates the cup release mechanism 61. This cup release mechanism is the usual one used in dispensing machines of this general type and is usual and well known in the art. A second lead 62 extends from the cup release 61 and thence to the coin changer 39 to complete the circuit through the coin changer.

The cream and sugar motors 42 and 43 are electrically connected through the lead 63 to the main A. C. supply line 54. A second lead 64 is connected to the lead 53 which is connected to the commodity motor 32. The lead 64 extends to push button switches 6566 which are wired to the cream motor 42 and the sugar motor 43, respectively. Thus when the switch 51 is closed the push button 65 and 66 may be operated to actuate either or both of the motors 42 or 43. p

In operation the several cans 17 are mounted between the discs 15-16 by placing the shafts 18 in the cans within the bayonet slots 26. The sugar and cream containers 40 and 41 are both filled, as is also the water tank 7. The electrical coil 10 in the water tank is energized so that the water is raised to the required temperature. The operator now rotates the button 29 so as to move the proper can 17 to a position at the front of the housing 1 and below the commodity motor 32. A coin is now depressed into the coin changer 39 which closes the electrical circuit and first energizes the motor 48. The shaft 49 of this motor now rotates. The first action is the engagement of the cam 58 with the switch 59 to close this switch. The cup release 61 is now actuated and permits a cup to drop from the dispenser 5 and onto the platform 3; this cup being indicated at 4 in Figure 1. The cam 50 engages and closes the switch 51. This starts the commodity motor 32 and the solenoid 36 so that the motor is swung downwardly. The fork 33 engages the pin 19 on the shaft 18, thus rotating the shaft 18, causing the bar 23 to sweep material through the outlet hole 21 and permitting the material to drop into the cup 4. The cam 55 has now closed the switch 56, thus opening the hot water valve 12. Hot water now pours through the pipe 11 into the cup 4 and mixes with the material from the selected can 17. The operator can depress the push button 65 or 66 and thus place cream or sugar, or both, in the cup 4, together with the selected drink. When a complete cycle, as described above, is completed the coin drops out of the coin changer 39 and into a suitable receptacle, thus breaking the main A. C. circuit entering at 46 into the coin changer which stops the motor 48, and the machine is then ready for the next operation.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A dispensing apparatus for granular material comprising a housing including a front wall, said front wall having an opening therein and a platform, a cup dispenser within the housing, a chute extending from the cup dispenser to adjacent said platform, a cup release mechanism on the cup dispenser, a vertical shaft journaled in the housing, a pair of spaced discs mounted on the shaft, manual means to rotate said shaft, a plurality of containers mounted between the discs, a dasher in each of the containers, each dasher including a vertical shaft journaled in the container, disengageable drive means on each of the last named vertical shafts, an electric motor within the housing and positioned over the container immediately adjacent said front wall, and drive means on the motor engageable with the first named drive means.

2. A dispensing apparatus for granular material comprising a housing including a front wall, said front wall having an opening therein and a platform, a cup dispenser within the housing, a chute extending from the cup dispenser to adjacent said platform, a cup release mechanism on the cup dispenser, a vertical shaft journaled in the housing, a pair of spaced discs mounted on the shaft, manual means to rotate said shaft, a plurality of containers mounted between the discs, a dasher in each of the containers, each dasher including a vertical shaft journaled in the container, disengageable drive means on each of the last named vertical shafts, an electric motor withinthe housing and positioned over the container immediately adjacent said front wall, and drive means on the motor engageable with the first named drive means, a mounting for said electric motor whereby the-electric motor is moved vertically relative to the container positioned below the electric motor, and electrical means connected to the motor mount whereby the electric motor is moved vertically.

. 3. A dispensing apparatus for granular material comprising a housing including a front wall, said front wall "having an opening therein and a platform, a cup diswere tween the discs, a dasher in each of the "containers, "each dasher iiicludirig a vertical shaft joiiiiialed iii the container, disengageable drive means (iii "eat; ast harried vertical shafts, an electric hidtdr withui th'e housing and positioned over the container immediately aajacent said front wall, and drive means oh the motor efigageable with the first named drive means, ah elec trical sequeaee actuatihg imam iiicl'udifig switeneiactrically connected to the cup release,- aiid a second switch electrically cohiiected to said mottii', aiid neansta o'perate said actuating means in 'seqiieh'ce. v v I 4. A dispensing apparatus for graiiular rfiater'ial compr ising a housing including a front wall, said front wall having an opening therein and a platform, 'a esp di spenser within the sensing, a c'hneeaeaaiag from the cup dispenser to adjacent said planta n, an electrically actuated cup release mechanism on the cup dispeiiser, a vertical shaft journaled in the hoi'is'iiig, a pair of S ced discs mounted on the shaft, manuaiifie as to rotate said shaft, a plurality of containers removably mounted between the discs, a dasher in each of the cohtainefs", each dasher including a vertical shaft journaled in the 6611- tainer, disengageable drive means on each of the last named vertical shafts, an electric motor within thehousing and positioned over the container immediately adjac ent said front wall, and drive means on the motor engageable with the first named drive means, a mounting for said electric motor whereby the electric motor is moved vertically relative to the container positioned below the electric motor, and electrical means connected to the motor mouht whereby the electric motor is moved vertically, an electrical sequence actuating means including a switch electrically connected to the cup release, and a second switch electrically connected to said motor, and means to operate said actuating means in sequence.

5. A dispensing apparatus for granular material comprising a housing including a front wall, said front wall having an opening therein and a platform, a cup dispenser withih the housing, 'a abate extehding from the cup dispenser to adjacent said platform, acuprelease mechanism on the cup dispenser, a vertical shaft journaled in the housing, a pair of spaced discs mounted on the shaft, manual means to rotate said shaft, a plurality of containers mounted between the discs, a dasher in each of the containers, each dasher including a vertical shaft journaled in the container, disengageable drive means on each of the last named vertical shafts, an electric motor within the housing and positioned over the container immediately adjacent said front wall, and drive means on the motor engageable with the first named drive means, a water tank within the housing, heating means for the water tank, a pipe extending from the water tank to adjacent said platform adapted to dispense water to a cup resting on a platform, and an electrically actuated valve in said pipe.

6. A dispensing apparatus for granular material comprising a housing including a front wall, said front wall having an opening therein and a platform, a cup dispenser within the housing, a chute extending from the cup dispenser to adjacent said platform, a cup release mechanism on the cup dispenser, a vertical shaft journaled in the housing, a pair of spaced discs mounted on the shaft, manual means to rotate said shaft, a plurality of containers mounted between the discs, a dasher in each of the containers, each dasher including a vertical shaft journaled in the container, disengageable drive means on each of the last named vertical shafts, an electric motor within the housing and positioned over the container immediately adajacent said front wall, and drive means on the motor engageable with the first harried drive meahs, a iriciinting fer said electric motor whereby the electric motor is moved vertically relative to the container -positioned below the electric motor, and electrical means connected to the meter moiint whereby the electric motor is moved vertically, a water tank within the housing, heating means for the water tank, a pipe extending from the water tank to adjacent said platform adapted to dispense Water to a cup resting on a platform, and an electrically actuated valve in said pipe.

7. A dispensing apparatus for granular material comprising a housing including a front wall, said front wall having an opening therein and a platform, a cup dispenser within the housing, a chute extending from the cup dispenser to adjacent said platform, a cup release mechanism on the cup dispenser, a vertical shaft journaled in the housing, a pair of spaced discs mounted on the shaft, manual means to rotate said shaft, a plurality of containers mounted between the discs, a dasher in each of the containers, eachdasher including a vertical shaft journaled in the container, disengageable drive means on each ofthe last named vertical shafts, an electric motor within the housing and positioned over the container immediately adjacent said front wall, and drive means' on the motor engageable with the first named drive means, a water tank within the housing, heating means for the water tank, a pipe extending from the water tank to adjacent said platform adapted to dispense water to a cup resting on a platform, and an electrically actuated valve in said pipe, and sequence actuating means including a switch electrically connected to the cup release, a second switch electrically connected tothe motor, a third switch electrically connected to said valve, and operating means closing each of said switches in sequence. 7 a

8. A dispensing apparatus for granular material comprising a housing including a front wall, said front wall having an opening therein and a platform, 'a cup dispenser within the housing, a chuteextending from the cup dispenser to adjacent said platform,'a cup release mechanism on the cup dispenser, a vertical shaft journaled in the housing, a pair of spaced discs mounted on the shaft, manual means to rotate said shaft, a plurality of containers mounted between the disc's, .a dasher in each at thecontainers, each 'dasher including a vertical shaft journaled in the container, disengageable drive means 'o'nfea'ch of the last named vertical shafts, an electric motor within the hous'i'r'ig and positioned over the container immediately adjacent said front wall, and drive means on the motor engageable with the first named drive means, a mounting for said electric motor whereby the electric motor is moved vertically relative to the container positioned below the electric motor, and electrical means connected to the motor mount whereby the electric motor is moved vertically, a water tank within the housing, heating means for the water tank, a pipe extending from the water tank to adjacent said platform adapted to dispense water to a cup resting on a platform, and an electrically actuated valve in said pipe, and sequence actuating means including a switch electrically connected to the cup release, a second switch electrically connected to the motor, a third switch electrically connected to said valve, and operating means closing each of said switches in sequence.

9. A dispensing apparatus for granular material comprising a housing including a front wall, said front Wall having an opening therein and a platform, a cup dispenser within the housing, a chute extending from the cup dispenser to adjacent said platform to deposit a cup on said platform, and electrically actuated cup release mechanism on the cup dispenser, a vertical shaft journaled in the housing, a pair of spaced discs mounted on the shaft, manual means to rotate said shaft and the discs thereon, a plurality of containers removably mounted between the discs, a dasher in each of the containers,

each dasher including a'vertical shaft journaled in the container, and a transverse bar on the shaft sweeping the bottom of the container, disengageable drive means on each of the last named vertical shafts, an electric motor positioned over the container immediately adjacent said front wall, means pivotally mounting the electric motor for vertical movementrelative to the container, and drive means on the motor engageable with the first named drive means.

10. A dispensing apparatus for granular material comprising a housing including a front wall, said front wall having an opening therein and a platform, a cup dispenser within the housing, a chute extending from the cup dispenser to adjacent said platform to deposit a cup on said platform, and electrically actuated cup release mechanism on the cup dispenser, a vertical shaft journaled in the housing, a pair of spaced discs mounted on the shaft, manual means to rotate said shaft and the discs thereon, a plurality of containers removably mounted between the discs, a dasher in each of the containers, each dasher including a vertical shaft journaled in the container, and a transverse bar on the shaft sweeping the bottom of the container, disengageable drive means on each of the last named vertical shafts, an electric motor positioned over the container immediately adjacent said front wall, means pivotally mounting the electric motor for vertical movement relative to the container, and drive means on the motor engageable with the first named drive means, a hot water tank mounted within the housing, heating means for the hot water tank, a pipe extending from said tank to adjacent the platform whereby water is dispensed into a cup on the platform, and an electrically actuated valve in said pipe.

11. A dispensing apparatus for granular material comprising a housing including a front wall, said front wall having an opening therein and a platform, a cup dispenser within the housing, a chute extending from the cup dispenser to adjacent said platform to deposit a cup on said platform, and electrically actuated cup release mechanism on the cup dispenser, a vertical shaft journaled in the housing, a pair of spaced discs mounted on the shaft, manual means to rotate said shaft and the discs thereon, a plurality of containers removably mounted between the discs, a dasher in each of the containers, each dasher including a vertical shaft journaled in the container, and a transverse bar on the shaft sweeping the bottom of the container, disengageable drive means on each of the last named vertical shafts, an electric motor positioned over the container immediately adjacent said front wall, means pivotally mounting the electric motor for vertical movement relative to the container, and drive means on the motor engageable with the first named drive means, a sequence actuating means including a switch electrically connected to the cup relase, a second switch electrically connected to said motor, and a cam engageable with each of said switches to close the same, and means to move said cam into engagement with the switches.

12. A dispensing apparatus for granular material comprising a housing including a front wall, said front wall having an opening therein and a platform, a cup dispenser within the housing, a chute extending from the cup dispenser to adjacent said platform to deposit a cup on said platform, and electrically actuated cup release mechanism on the cup dispenser,.a vertical shaft journaled in the housing, a pair of spaced discs mounted on the shaft, manual means to rotate said shaft and the discs thereon, a plurality of containers removably mounted between the discs, a dasher in each of the containers, each dasher including a vertical shaft journaled in the container, and a transverse bar on the shaft sweeping the bottom of the container, disengageable drive means on each of the last named vertical shafts, an electric motor positioned over the container immediately adjacent said front wall, means pivotally mounting the electric motor for vertical movement relative to the container, and drive means on the motor engageable with the first named drive means, a hot water tank mounted within the housing, heating means for the hot water tank, a pipe extending from saidtank to adjacent the platform whereby water is dispensed into a cup on the platform, and an electrically actuated valve in said pipe, a sequence actuating means including a switch electrically connected to the cup release, a second switch electrically connected to said motor, a third switch electrically connected to said valve, and a cam engageable with each of said switches to close the same, and electrical drive means to move the cams into engagement with the switches.

References Cited in the file or this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,597,063 Catangano May 30, 1952 2,626,785 Lewis et a1. Ian. 27, 1953 2,660,340 Thompson Nov. 24, 1953 2,660,351 Thompson Nov. 24, 1953 

